Obradovich: Readers get to have their say, with insights and insults

Dec. 30, 2013

Written by

Kathie Obradovich

Like most people who peddle prose for a living, I’m always grateful when readers take time to respond to one of my columns and offer their own thoughts. For my last column of 2013, I thought I’d turn most of the space over to some of the comments I’ve received from readers over the past year.

Most of these remarks came from emails, but I’ve also pulled a few from Twitter. I’ve withheld last names of those who contacted me directly but assumed those who posted in a public forum won’t mind being identified.

First of all, on the topic of the representation of women in politics and the judiciary, I received a wide spectrum of opinion. In August, I wrote about inappropriate questioning of two female candidates for the Iowa Court of Appeals by members of the State Judicial Nominating Commission. Cora from Urbandale responded: “Let all the people say ‘Amen.’ These guys would keep us all in burqas if they could.”

On the other hand, a reader named Gary had this to say about a column in January on gender balance in the Iowa Statehouse: “Good god woman get off it. We’ll elect who we want when we want. What your [sic] saying is the least deserving goes to the front of the class, get a life.”

Tim wrote to me in July about a column on a U.S. Senate candidate’s baffling statements on abortion. He had his own story:

Some time ago, a judge was sentencing a young woman for welfare fraud in a crowded courtroom. In explaining her misconduct, she said that the father of their child had abandoned them and she could not adequately provide for the child. The judge asked, “Why did you let such an irresponsible person breed you?” ... I initially giggled and felt a certain excitement over hearing this in a public courtroom. Quickly, though, I felt great embarrassment for the woman and shame of my initial response. Since then, I check for my perceptions and motive before forming an opinion of any particular woman or on any “women’s issue.” Doing so has saved me some embarrassment for myself. By the way, after a pause, the woman replied, “He seemed like a nice guy at the time.” Don’t we all, at times?

Several people from around the country remarked on Twitter after I appeared Dec. 21 on Steve Kornacki’s show on MSNBC. I mentioned Iowa’s status of never electing a woman to Congress or the governor’s office, which could change in 2014. Larry Lynam of Florida tweeted: “Isn’t Iowa the state that still promotes barefoot and pregnant? Just asking for a friend.”

David Tiffany of Iowa City added: “Anti-woman bias in Iowa is as strong as anti-African-American bias. — if not stronger.” David may be forgetting about Barack Obama winning the caucuses in 2008 and then carrying Iowa in 2008 and 2012.

The opportunities for women to run successfully for office have grown enormously with the retirement of Sen. Tom Harkin after 40 years in office and Rep. Tom Latham, after 20 years.

Speaking of longevity of our politicians, Sue from Muscatine remarked in January on the opportunities for Iowa’s senators to show some courage on the federal budget:

“It looks to me as though a state with two long-established, respected, end of their careers (one would think) senators whose loyalty to their political parties would never be doubted could model the sort of behavior that so many of us are looking for. A bold plan that includes compromise on revenue and spending and a willingness to look at other national issues that desperately need attention. What do they have to lose????”

And speaking of profiles in courage, Jon remarked in January on a proposal to withhold pay for members of Congress until they passed a budget, but to pay them in full once the bill passed. “That’s kinda like saying, ‘Nope, you won’t get paid until you do your homework (but then I will pay you all of it that you would have been paid).’ They act like it is a big incentive, but I don’t see it. Most are well-to-do. Most have years in public office and can afford months of not receiving an actual bi-weekly salary and still manage to get by.”

A speech given to lawmakers in April, and then reprinted in this space, prompted several readers to send their own Statehouse memories. Cindy from Ames had a great one: “I still remember the farewell speech of one longtime legislator. He said that a legislator friend had asked him, ‘Now that you’re retiring, won’t you go crazy, not being here?’ His response was, ‘How would I know the difference between being crazy and being here?’ ”

Another reader, who remarked last spring on a column about the Iowa caucuses, made me laugh out loud: “Since April Fool’s Day just passed, I was reminded I had to respond to one of your articles from a couple weeks ago.”

I also appreciated this recent gem from Kirk in Ames: “There was something terribly wrong with your column today: It made way too much sense, thereby virtually guaranteeing it will be ignored by those who should be paying attention. Such is the nature of your business, I fear.”

More than you’ll ever know, Kirk.

For all of you who have chosen not to ignore my column over the years, please be assured that I’m grateful and I will not ignore you. You can contact me at kobradov@dmreg.com.